Josh O’Connor, the versatile star known for “God’s Own Country” and “The Crown,” is captivating critics and fans alike this fall with a diverse slate of four films, including the highly anticipated “The Mastermind,” a 1970s heist movie that perfectly showcases his unique, scruffy soulfulness.
This fall, a familiar yet ever-evolving face is dominating the cinematic landscape: that of Josh O’Connor. Known for his transformative roles and distinctive presence, O’Connor is set to star in an impressive four films. Among them, Kelly Reichardt’s 1970-set heist movie, “The Mastermind,” stands out as a pure distillation of his singular screen magnetism, solidifying his reputation as one of contemporary cinema’s most compelling actors.
Filmmaker Kelly Reichardt, celebrated for her nuanced and observational storytelling in films like “First Cow” and “Showing Up,” first encountered O’Connor’s talent in his 2017 breakthrough, “God’s Own Country,” where he played the sheep farmer Johnny Saxby. Later recognizing him from his acclaimed portrayal of Prince Charles in “The Crown,” Reichardt noted his “timeless face,” a quality that now finds expression in a diverse range of characters.
A Season of Diverse Roles
This autumn marks a significant moment in O’Connor’s career, with a convergence of wide-ranging projects that spotlight his exceptional versatility. Fans can anticipate his performances in:
- “The History of Sound”: A new England romance co-starring Paul Mescal.
- “Rebuilding”: Where he embodies a Colorado rancher grappling with the aftermath of wildfires.
- “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”: Rian Johnson’s latest whodunit, in which O’Connor is already lauded as a standout amidst a star-studded ensemble.
- “The Mastermind”: Kelly Reichardt’s 1970-set heist movie, offering a granular, observational take on the genre.
These roles collectively showcase O’Connor’s rangy talent and an innate, scruffy soulfulness that has made him a fan favorite. His loose, leading-man magnetism, already evident in films like “La Chimera” and “Challengers,” is set to enthrall audiences with this diverse lineup.
“The Mastermind”: A Study in Observational Cinema
“The Mastermind” presents a unique take on the heist genre, filtered through Reichardt’s signature observational lens. O’Connor portrays James Blaine Mooney, or J.B., an out-of-work suburban carpenter and father living with his wife (Alana Haim) and two young boys. Driven by a delusional self-confidence, J.B. haphazardly steals paintings from a lightly guarded local museum in Framingham, Massachusetts.
O’Connor, a longtime admirer of Reichardt’s work, was drawn to the film’s granular rigor. He highlights the director’s unique approach, stating, “If you’ve seen Kelly’s movies, you know that Kelly is not overly concerned with cutting… But if we’re not going to cinema to be observational, I don’t know what the point is.” This philosophy translates into extended, real-time scenes, such as J.B. painstakingly hiding stolen paintings in a treehouse, a testament to Reichardt’s commitment to showing “the things that are often cut out of movies.”
The film’s deliberate, real-life pace allows O’Connor to delve deep into a character reminiscent of unmoored figures from 1970s cinema. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, which J.B. largely ignores, the film explores universal themes of male ego and shifting societal dynamics. O’Connor reflects, “It’s a time where things are changing… Those issues of ego in the male psyche still exist… things change around us, but, really, we all behave pretty much the same way.”
Art Thieves, Mundane and Melancholic
While “The Mastermind” superficially shares common ground with another O’Connor film, “La Chimera,” in which he also plays a rumpled art thief, the characters are profoundly different. O’Connor describes J.B. as “an extremely selfish, seemingly useless guy,” contrasting him with Arthur from Alice Rohrwacher’s 2023 Tuscan fable, who is “looking for his soul.” This distinction highlights O’Connor’s ability to imbue similar archetypes with entirely unique emotional landscapes.
Reichardt’s inspiration for “The Mastermind” emerged during the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, where she encountered coverage of the 50th-anniversary of a broad-daylight theft of paintings from the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts. This real-life event provided the perfect jumping-off point for her first solo screenwriting effort, demonstrating her meticulous approach to character and setting.
An Actor Guided by Craft, Not Plan
For O’Connor, the process of inhabiting a character like J.B. involves a deep dive into the psyche, sometimes repeating the mantra, “This is a really good idea,” before each scene. He identifies with the “manic nature” and the feeling of being “in too deep” after making the wrong call, acknowledging the relatability of a post-job comedown.
Despite his skyrocketing career, which includes upcoming roles in Steven Spielberg’s next film and Joel Coen’s “Jack of Spades,” Josh O’Connor’s rise in Hollywood has been humble and somewhat reluctant. He expresses a desire for downtime at his home in the Cotswolds, particularly tending to his garden, which he humorously notes is “up there on the list” of priorities.
O’Connor openly admits to not having an “organized thought-through plan” for his career. Instead, he feels “incredibly lucky” to work with filmmakers like Kelly Reichardt, choosing projects based on the opportunity to collaborate with visionary directors. This unconventional path, driven by artistic integrity rather than traditional stardom, is precisely what makes Josh O’Connor such a captivating and respected actor for cinephiles and fan communities alike.
